Steven Kwan homers in rehab assignment, Tugboat whiffs 8 in Lake County debut

Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Sunday, May 26, 2024

Columbus Clippers 3, Omaha Stormchasers 4

Box Score · Clippers fall to 19-30

It’s never a good sign when Myles Straw is the highlight of the offense. Straw went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored to pace the Clippers on Saturday.

No one else reached base safely twice, although Jose Tena also doubled.

Starting pitcher Wes Parsons allowed three runs on five hits in 2 ²⁄₃ innings with a pair of strikeouts and a walk. Three of the five hits he surrendered were home runs.

The highlight of the game for Columbus was its bullpen. Randy Labaut gave up one run in 2 ¹⁄₃ innings, but then Eli Morgan pitched two scoreless frames and Anthony Gose added one more scoreless inning to at least give the offense an opportunity to mount a comeback.

Lake County Captains 8, West Michigan Whitecaps 6

Box Score · Captains improve to 25-19

All eyes were on Lake County on Saturday as the Captains had a double feature playing. A rehabbing Steven Kwan was making his first appearance with the Captains as he works his way back from a hamstring injury and Matthew “Tugboat” Wilkinson, the MiLB leader in strikeouts, was making his Lake County debut after being promoted from Lynchburg.

Wilkinson was sharp, striking out eight batters and walking none in five innings pitched. He only allowed four hits, but they were strung together, resulting in three runs allowed. All in all, it was a solid debut for Tugboat.

Trailing 3-0, the Captains got back in front in the fifth inning. Guy Lipscomb had an RBI single to put Lake County on the board, then it was time for Kwan to come through with a three-run bomb.

Jake Miller struggled in relief, allowing three runs on three hits in his one inning of work.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, catching prospect Cooper Ingle came through in spades. With the bases loaded, he blasted off for his second home run of the season, a grand slam.

Ingle finished 2-for-4 with the grand slam. Jake Fox went 2-for-3 with a triple and a walk. C.J. Kayfus went 1-for-3 with a walk.

The bullpen closed out the win as Alaska Abney tossed two innings with three strikeouts to earn the win and Zane Morehouse added another inning with two more strikeouts to earn the save.

Lynchburg Hillcats 10, Fredericksburg Nationals 6 (F/12)

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 23-21

Lynchburg’s offense blasted off with several of its top prospects having monster days at the plate Saturday.

Ralphy Velazquez reached base safely four times, going 2-for-4 with a home run and a pair of walks.

Jaison Chourio also had a huge day at the dish, going 4-for-6 with three doubles. He knocked in three runs and scored two.

Angel Genao went 3-for-6 with a stolen base.

The bullpen was rock solid. Josh Harlow, Robert Wegielnik and Matt Jachec all tossed two innings without giving up an earned run.